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ANDREA LA'VERNE EDNEY SWORN IN AS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES

DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2024 -- Andrea La'Verne Edney was installed as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates at the organization's annual National Board Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Jan. 27. Ms. Edney was sworn in by the Hon. James E. Graves, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, who also served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi.

Ms. Edney has served in a number of ABOTA leadership positions throughout the years. At her law firm, she is the Chair, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee of Butler Snow in the Ridgeland, Mississippi office. Ms. Edney practices within the firm's pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare litigation group.

In introducing Ms. Edney to the National Board, judges, and guests, Judge Graves described the new president as someone who is highly regarded in the legal field, has made tremendous strides in advancing the legal profession, and will be an exceptional leader in her role as the first African-American woman National President of ABOTA.

"I have known La'Verne since her law school days when she clerked for another judge down the hallway from my chambers," Judge Graves said. "She is relentless in her efforts to give back to her community. She is a mentor and friend to young attorneys, and she always achieves and accomplishes wherever she goes. Some people hold jobs. La'Verne excels at absolutely everything she does. Some people simply fly; La'Verne soars."

Prior to her being sworn in, Orlando R. Richmond, Sr., who serves as a member of Butler Snow's Executive Committee and Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, described Ms. Edney as a woman of firsts: In addition to being the first African-American woman National President of ABOTA, she was the first African-American from Mississippi inducted into the International Society of Barristers; the first African-American female from Mississippi inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; the first African-American female President of the Mississippi Bar Foundation; the first African-American female to serve as Chair of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership; the first African-American female to serve on the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College; and the first African-American female to serve on the Board of Origin Bancorp, Inc.

"La'Verne is accustomed to being a trailblazer. She is accustomed to being the representative for so many other qualified people who did not have an opportunity, and there could not be a better representative for ABOTA," Mr. Richmond said.

In her remarks to the National Board, Ms. Edney borrowed from Amanda Gorman, who was the youngest person to deliver a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration.

"ABOTA, history has its eyes on us," Ms. Edney said. "Let us continue to support and uphold our judiciary – speak when they are attacked and voiceless; continue the fight for the Seventh Amendment right to a civil jury; educate our children about America's civil jury system; provide educational materials to our teachers to pass on to our children; provide educational resources to our young and aspiring lawyers; continue to support diversity and inclusion in our organization and leave behind a country better than the one we were left with."

She added that she is grateful for those who came before her and encouraged her to take an active role in areas that she was passionate about.

"I stand on the shoulders of my family and friends and so many others who opened doors for people like me, who stood beside me and encouraged me to go for it, including those who were not afraid to get in the fight for equality and justice and inclusion," she said.

Since her induction into ABOTA in 2015, Ms. Edney has served on several committees and chaired or co-chaired programs that have had a broad impact, including serving as National Secretary of ABOTA, Chapter Relations (2020), Diversity of Membership (2016, 2017), Long Range Planning (2017), Membership (2017), Foundation Professional Development (2016) and Legislative (2016). She was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2020 and served as Co-chair of the Leadership Conference that year. She is a Senior Life Fellow of the ABOTA Foundation, which serves as the educational arm of the association.

Ms. Edney is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. In May 2022, Ms. Edney served as U.S. Delegate at The Forum on the Rule of Law at the U.S. Supreme Court, for which she co-authored a paper and spoke on Human Rights and Civil Liberties. Ms. Edney is called upon often to speak on topics addressing the unique perspectives women litigators bring to the profession. Most recently, in 2022, Ms. Edney spoke as a guest panelist on the topic "Hear Us Roar: Being a Female Litigator in a Male-Dominated Industry" at a conference in Palm Springs, California.

Additional recent recognition includes Capital Area Bar Association's Professionalism Award in 2021, Mississippi Women Lawyers Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, and Mississippi College School of Law's Distinguished Alumni Lawyer of the Year in 2018. In addition to her professional involvement and recognition, Ms. Edney serves on numerous community boards and committees including the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College, Origin Bancorp, Inc.'s Board, the Magnolia Speech School Board, and Baptist Hospital Board of Regents, and she is a Past Chair of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Board.

Biloxi, Mississippi, Mayor Andrew Gilich issued a January 27 proclamation in honor of Ms. Edney's inauguration, and the City Council of Jackson, Mississippi, issued a proclamation in her honor by Council Member Aaron B. Banks.

She earned her B.S. from Alcorn State University and her J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law. Following law school, Ms. Edney clerked for the Hon. Leslie Southwick on the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

CINCINNATI – October 15, 2016, Members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Board of Directors ratified a resolution Saturday adopted by delegates at its 2016 107th National Convention calling for a moratorium on charter school expansion and for the strengthening of oversight in governance and practice.

“The NAACP has been in the forefront of the struggle for and a staunch advocate of free, high-quality, fully and equitably-funded public education for all children,” said Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the National NAACP Board of Directors. “We are dedicated to eliminating the severe racial inequities that continue to plague the education system.”

The National Board’s decision to ratify this resolution reaffirms prior resolutions regarding charter schools and the importance of public education, and is one of 47 resolutions adopted today by the Board of Directors. The National Board’s decision to ratify supports its 2014 Resolution, ‘School Privatization Threat to Public Education’, in which the NAACP opposes privatization of public schools and public subsidizing or funding of for-profit or charter schools. Additionally, in 1998 the Association adopted a resolution which unequivocally opposed the establishment and granting of charter schools which are not subject to the same accountability and standardization of qualifications/certification of teachers as public schools and divert already-limited funds from public schools.

We are calling for a moratorium on the expansion of the charter schools at least until such time as:
(1) Charter schools are subject to the same transparency and accountability standards as public schools
(2) Public funds are not diverted to charter schools at the expense of the public school system
(3) Charter schools cease expelling students that public schools have a duty to educate and
(4) Charter schools cease to perpetuate de facto segregation of the highest performing children from those whose aspirations may be high but whose talents are not yet as obvious.

Historically the NAACP has been in strong support of public education and has denounced movements toward privatization that divert public funds to support non-public school choices.

“We are moving forward to require that charter schools receive the same level of oversight, civil rights protections and provide the same level of transparency, and we require the same of traditional public schools,” Chairman Brock said. “Our decision today is driven by a long held principle and policy of the NAACP that high quality, free, public education should be afforded to all children.”

While we have reservations about charter schools, we recognize that many children attend traditional public schools that are inadequately and inequitably equipped to prepare them for the innovative and competitive environment they will face as adults. Underfunded and under-supported, these traditional public schools have much work to do to transform curriculum, prepare teachers, and give students the resources they need to have thriving careers in a technologically advanced society that is changing every year. There is no time to wait. Our children immediately deserve the best education we can provide.

“Our ultimate goal is that all children receive a quality public education that prepares them to be a contributing and productive citizen,” said Adora Obi Nweze, Chair of the National NAACP Education Committee, President of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP and a former educator whose committee guides educational policy for the Association.

“The NAACP’s resolution is not inspired by ideological opposition to charter schools but by our historical support of public schools – as well as today’s data and the present experience of NAACP branches in nearly every school district in the nation,” said Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Our NAACP members, who as citizen advocates, not professional lobbyists, are those who attend school board meetings, engage with state legislatures and support both parents and teachers.”

“The vote taken by the NAACP is a declaratory statement by this Association that the proliferation of charter schools should be halted as we address the concerns raised in our resolution,” said Chairman Brock.

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	ANDREA LA'VERNE EDNEY SWORN IN AS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2024 -- Andrea La'Verne Edney was installed as National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates at the organization's annual National Board Meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Jan. 27. Ms. Edney was sworn in by the Hon. James E. Graves, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, who also served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi. Ms. Edney has served in a number of ABOTA leadership positions throughout the years. At her law firm, she is the Chair, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee of Butler Snow in the Ridgeland, Mississippi office. Ms. Edney practices within the firm's pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare litigation group. In introducing Ms. Edney to the National Board, judges, and guests, Judge Graves described the new president as someone who is highly regarded in the legal field, has made tremendous strides in advancing the legal profession, and will be an exceptional leader in her role as the first African-American woman National President of ABOTA. "I have known La'Verne since her law school days when she clerked for another judge down the hallway from my chambers," Judge Graves said. "She is relentless in her efforts to give back to her community. She is a mentor and friend to young attorneys, and she always achieves and accomplishes wherever she goes. Some people hold jobs. La'Verne excels at absolutely everything she does. Some people simply fly; La'Verne soars." Prior to her being sworn in, Orlando R. Richmond, Sr., who serves as a member of Butler Snow's Executive Committee and Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, described Ms. Edney as a woman of firsts: In addition to being the first African-American woman National President of ABOTA, she was the first African-American from Mississippi inducted into the International Society of Barristers; the first African-American female from Mississippi inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; the first African-American female President of the Mississippi Bar Foundation; the first African-American female to serve as Chair of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership; the first African-American female to serve on the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College; and the first African-American female to serve on the Board of Origin Bancorp, Inc. "La'Verne is accustomed to being a trailblazer. She is accustomed to being the representative for so many other qualified people who did not have an opportunity, and there could not be a better representative for ABOTA," Mr. Richmond said. In her remarks to the National Board, Ms. Edney borrowed from Amanda Gorman, who was the youngest person to deliver a poem at a U.S. presidential inauguration. "ABOTA, history has its eyes on us," Ms. Edney said. "Let us continue to support and uphold our judiciary – speak when they are attacked and voiceless; continue the fight for the Seventh Amendment right to a civil jury; educate our children about America's civil jury system; provide educational materials to our teachers to pass on to our children; provide educational resources to our young and aspiring lawyers; continue to support diversity and inclusion in our organization and leave behind a country better than the one we were left with." She added that she is grateful for those who came before her and encouraged her to take an active role in areas that she was passionate about. "I stand on the shoulders of my family and friends and so many others who opened doors for people like me, who stood beside me and encouraged me to go for it, including those who were not afraid to get in the fight for equality and justice and inclusion," she said. Since her induction into ABOTA in 2015, Ms. Edney has served on several committees and chaired or co-chaired programs that have had a broad impact, including serving as National Secretary of ABOTA, Chapter Relations (2020), Diversity of Membership (2016, 2017), Long Range Planning (2017), Membership (2017), Foundation Professional Development (2016) and Legislative (2016). She was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2020 and served as Co-chair of the Leadership Conference that year. She is a Senior Life Fellow of the ABOTA Foundation, which serves as the educational arm of the association. Ms. Edney is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. In May 2022, Ms. Edney served as U.S. Delegate at The Forum on the Rule of Law at the U.S. Supreme Court, for which she co-authored a paper and spoke on Human Rights and Civil Liberties. Ms. Edney is called upon often to speak on topics addressing the unique perspectives women litigators bring to the profession. Most recently, in 2022, Ms. Edney spoke as a guest panelist on the topic "Hear Us Roar: Being a Female Litigator in a Male-Dominated Industry" at a conference in Palm Springs, California. Additional recent recognition includes Capital Area Bar Association's Professionalism Award in 2021, Mississippi Women Lawyers Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, and Mississippi College School of Law's Distinguished Alumni Lawyer of the Year in 2018. In addition to her professional involvement and recognition, Ms. Edney serves on numerous community boards and committees including the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College, Origin Bancorp, Inc.'s Board, the Magnolia Speech School Board, and Baptist Hospital Board of Regents, and she is a Past Chair of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership Board. Biloxi, Mississippi, Mayor Andrew Gilich issued a January 27 proclamation in honor of Ms. Edney's inauguration, and the City Council of Jackson, Mississippi, issued a proclamation in her honor by Council Member Aaron B. Banks. She earned her B.S. from Alcorn State University and her J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law. Following law school, Ms. Edney clerked for the Hon. Leslie Southwick on the Mississippi Court of Appeals.	NAACP Calling for a Moratorium on Charter School Expansion CINCINNATI – October 15, 2016, Members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Board of Directors ratified a resolution Saturday adopted by delegates at its 2016 107th National Convention calling for a moratorium on charter school expansion and for the strengthening of oversight in governance and practice. “The NAACP has been in the forefront of the struggle for and a staunch advocate of free, high-quality, fully and equitably-funded public education for all children,” said Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the National NAACP Board of Directors. “We are dedicated to eliminating the severe racial inequities that continue to plague the education system.” The National Board’s decision to ratify this resolution reaffirms prior resolutions regarding charter schools and the importance of public education, and is one of 47 resolutions adopted today by the Board of Directors. The National Board’s decision to ratify supports its 2014 Resolution, ‘School Privatization Threat to Public Education’, in which the NAACP opposes privatization of public schools and public subsidizing or funding of for-profit or charter schools. Additionally, in 1998 the Association adopted a resolution which unequivocally opposed the establishment and granting of charter schools which are not subject to the same accountability and standardization of qualifications/certification of teachers as public schools and divert already-limited funds from public schools. We are calling for a moratorium on the expansion of the charter schools at least until such time as: (1) Charter schools are subject to the same transparency and accountability standards as public schools (2) Public funds are not diverted to charter schools at the expense of the public school system (3) Charter schools cease expelling students that public schools have a duty to educate and (4) Charter schools cease to perpetuate de facto segregation of the highest performing children from those whose aspirations may be high but whose talents are not yet as obvious. Historically the NAACP has been in strong support of public education and has denounced movements toward privatization that divert public funds to support non-public school choices. “We are moving forward to require that charter schools receive the same level of oversight, civil rights protections and provide the same level of transparency, and we require the same of traditional public schools,” Chairman Brock said. “Our decision today is driven by a long held principle and policy of the NAACP that high quality, free, public education should be afforded to all children.” While we have reservations about charter schools, we recognize that many children attend traditional public schools that are inadequately and inequitably equipped to prepare them for the innovative and competitive environment they will face as adults. Underfunded and under-supported, these traditional public schools have much work to do to transform curriculum, prepare teachers, and give students the resources they need to have thriving careers in a technologically advanced society that is changing every year. There is no time to wait. Our children immediately deserve the best education we can provide. “Our ultimate goal is that all children receive a quality public education that prepares them to be a contributing and productive citizen,” said Adora Obi Nweze, Chair of the National NAACP Education Committee, President of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP and a former educator whose committee guides educational policy for the Association. “The NAACP’s resolution is not inspired by ideological opposition to charter schools but by our historical support of public schools – as well as today’s data and the present experience of NAACP branches in nearly every school district in the nation,” said Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Our NAACP members, who as citizen advocates, not professional lobbyists, are those who attend school board meetings, engage with state legislatures and support both parents and teachers.” “The vote taken by the NAACP is a declaratory statement by this Association that the proliferation of charter schools should be halted as we address the concerns raised in our resolution,” said Chairman Brock.